CLE Returns

The organizers of the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition are again expecting big crowds for the annual fair.  Chair Ralph Scharf  says for entertainment they have everything from Shy-Anne Hovorka to Beatles and Buddy Holly tribute bands.   On the midway there's a new ride for the adventurous called Typhoon.  He says attendance normally hovers around the 60 thousand for the five day event which begins August 7th.

Teddy Bear Picnic Back

Thunder Bay's Teddy Bear Picnic is going into its 30th year.  The afternoon event is taking place from noon until 3 at Vickers Park tomorrow.  This year's entertainment includes Rodney Brown and the Grumpy Grampas.

Crime Of The Week

It's time for our Crime of the Week.  OPP are looking into a break and enter at the White Lake Provincial Park in Bryant Township.  Sometime between November 20th of last year and March 5th of this year people gained entry into the park grounds and entered six buildings and several vehicles.  Stolen items include digital cameras, flat screen tv's, keurig coffee maker and several laptops.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers.

Con College Enrollment Looking Good

Confederation College is looking forward to higher enrollment numbers this fall.  President Jim Madder says early enrollment confirmation numbers are up 5 percent.  He adds there are a number of courses that could see an increase in applications.  Madder notes the health care courses are also very popular with some already full.

Assault At Campground

A man and a woman will be in bail court today after a weekend incident at Trowbridge Falls Campground.  Police say two sisters in their 20s were assaulted while camping on the weekend.  The man faces an assault charge while the woman was charged with two counts of assault.

Dilico Workers Striking

350 Dilico Anishinabek Family Care workers are on strike.  They walked off the job just after 8 this morning and are picketing the Dilico office on Anemki Drive.  Marvin Pupeza of Canadian Energy and Paperworkers Union says they have a number of issues with the employer.  The workers have been without a new contract for over a year.

Taxi Meeting Dates Up In The Air

Thunder Bay's Police Services Board, the City and local Police are hoping to sit down soon and work out a solution to who will govern the taxi service.  Police Chief JP Levesque says meetings will be held but he's not sure when since summer is keeping people busy.  Police Board Chair Joe Virdiramo wants a decision to be made on the taxi matter by September.

Treasure Hunt Across NWO

Parks Canada wants to make the best out of your road trip across Northwestern Ontario.  They have launched their "Heritage Hide'n'Seek Geotour", which guides folks to various locations to learn more about the people and events that helped shape this country.  Communications Officer Nancy Saunders says it covers a wide area from Algonquin Park all the way to the Manitoba border.  All you need to to take part is a GPS or smart phone!

Dryer Fire Dealt With

Fire officials responded to a dryer fire on County Boulevard around 4am yesterday. The fire was extinguished with no issues. The only damage caused by the fire was to the dryer, with minor smoke damage elsewhere in the house.

Dugmore Memorial Discussion

The city is going to look at ways to honor the memory of Katherine Dugmore.  The one time waterfront development manager died recently and city spokesperson Darrell Matson says officials are looking at putting up a memorial to her at Prince Arthur's Landing, but the exact method isn't known. Matson says the issue comes before city council July 22nd.

MNR Conducting Surveys

The Ministry of Natural Resources is taking a close look at 61 lakes in northwestern Ontario. Spokesperson Kim Armstrong says lake surveys are underway. Armstrong says they are also checking for invasive species. Information gathered through the surveys will be used to make decisions on setting fishing seasons and size limits for anglers.

Local Music Legend Returns To Bluesfest

Shaffer on-stage at Bluesfest

A Thunder Bay musical legend makes his return to Bluesfest. Despite the poor weather, Paul Shaffer surprised thousands of blues fans at the Waterfront last night and even played a song with Los Lobos. Shaffer was in town visiting family. 

Kraft Celebration Tour

Kraft Canada is encouraging residents in communities challenging for the Kraft Celebration Tour to get behind their bids. Dryden and Fort Frances are going head to head. Kraft's promotions manager Sue Brooks says the public has the final say on who will win.Along with the 25-thousand dollar cash reward, Brooks says Kraft will set up a variety of events the day the winning community hosts TSN.

Free Fishing

It's time to get your family hooked on fishing. Licence-free fishing begins on July 6th and runs until the 14th across Ontario. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters says it's a chance to try the sport without the hassle of getting a licence.

Treaty Three Police Service Will Close Its Doors

The Treaty Three Police Services Board is shutting down the police service effective August 19th. The main reasons being the Public Service Alliance of Canada, which represents the officers, didn't agree to their demands to be under the provincial jurisdiction and agreeing to major wage concessions and restrictions on sick leave by withdrawing unfair labour practice complaints. PSAC Regional Vice-President Sharon DeSousa says it's disappointing to see that this is the only solution the service has come up with, adding they haven't really spoken to the workers or consulted with the union.

Water Park Officially Open

It's not often that a children's water park causes this much excitement.   However in this case the new County Park splash pad is the exception to the rule.   The facility's opening has been delayed for a couple of years because of plumbing problems that required extensive work.  It is the city's third such splash pad and will be open from 11-8 daily during the summer months.

CWL Holds Provincial Conference

The Catholic Women's League is holding it's provincial conference in Thunder Bay starting this weekend.   Organizer Marlene Pavletic says over 300 delegates are attending. They will be conducting business meetings, listening to speakers and touring the city.   A flag raising ceremony at City Hall this afternoon is the kickoff to the weekend events.

Angler Rescued

An area angler is thanking the Ministry of Natural Resources today.   Spokesperson Gary Harland says the man was lost fishing yesterday on a river not far from Rinker Lake, 120 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.   His two friends help direct an MNR helicopter crew to the spot the man and he was directed to a safe location and later rescued.

New Grocery Store For City

Thunder Bay is in for some No Frills action. Loblaw Companies Limited confirms that the company will open a No Frills grocery store in the city by the end of this year. While no location has been confirmed the County Fair Plaza and Northwood Plaza have been mentioned.

Cirtwill Hits The Ground Running

The new president of the Northern Ontario Policy Institute is already on the job. Charles Cirtwill plans to be working out of his Thunder Bay headquarters in September but until then he's steering the ship from Halifax. He says that includes working with the board to start posting staffing positions, finalizing funding from the province and commissioning a couple of papers. Cirtwill says he took the job because he was looking for a new opportunity.